Sectional pad



R. L. MELRQSE SECTIONAL PAD 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 30, 1948 Filed Apri-1 so, 194e 2 sheets-sheet 2 April l0, 1951 R, L, MELROSE 2,548,547'.

SECTIONAL PAD is 0 0, Q o 2o Raberjlelme TRNEVS' Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SECTIONAL PAD Robert L. Melrose, Coral Gables, Fla.

Application April 30, 1948, Serial No. 24,264

1 Claim. l

This invention relates to pads for use on beds and the like. More specifically, it relates to adjustable pads `which are formed of detachable sectional units.

The medical art has long been faced with the problem of providing suitable supports for bedridden patients, without causing the severe frictional irritations known as bed-sores. Another diiliculty has been the propping up of portions of the body, such as limbs, in such a manner as to provide adequate and comfortable support without at the same time subjecting the affected areas to any pressure.

E. The object of this invention is to provide pads which give adequate and comfortable support to a reclining individual, but which eliminate undesirable pressure on any given portion of the body.

Another object is to provide pads for use on beds and the like which may readily be formed into any desired configuration, depending upon the specic conditions of use.

Still another object is to provide pads formed of relatively small, detachable units which may be grouped and re-grouped in any desired fashion.

Still another object is to provide pads for beds and the like, which are relatively inexpensive to make and are economical to use, since they may be repeatedly readjusted to meet the requirements of succeeding individuals.

Other objects and advantages will`be obvious throughout the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a sectional unit of a preferred embodiment of my pad;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the sectional unit in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view showing a group of the units shown in Figures l and 2 joined together;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the top surface of a group of joined units shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of two units showing a modification of my invention; and

Figure 6 is a bottom plan View of a group of assembled units showing another modification.

The pads of my invention are formed by the lateral juxtaposition of a number of sectional units. For standard use, each section, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is preferably made in the form of a rectangular block l, having six, substantially flat surfaces. The sectional blocks are provided with detachable fastening means, such as: snap fastener elements l2, for the purpose of in'-4 terlocking the abutting sections on alllfour sides,: Snap fastener elementsY 2 are peripherally arranged along vtwo adjacent,.-

as shown in Figure 3.

edges 3 and Al of the bottom face 5 ofthe sectional block. The other two adjacent edges ofthef'top face are provided with projecting flaps- 6 and .1, upon which are positioned `snap fastening ele?y ments 2. i Whenthe sections, which are of Vsimi-w lar shape and size, are laterally juxtaposedfasj shown in Figure 3, flap 6 overlaps edge 3 of the adjacent section and is attached theretoby means of the complementary fastener elements'. .Similarly, flap 1 overlaps edge 4 of the adjacent sec? tion and is attached thereto bymeans of the` snap fasteners. VBy providing fastening elements adjacent all sides of the sectional units,anynum, ber of sections can thus Abe securely interloc'kedA to form a pad of any desired shape and size. After,r the sectional units are` interlocked, the pad is'v preferably inverted for actual use, as shown in Figure 4, so that the smooth faces 8 of the sections form the top surface of the pad. In this way any irritating contact with the fastening means is avoided. Unattached fastening means along the outlying edges I0 of the pad will inno way interfere with the functioning of` the pad.

However, if desired, peripheral sectional unitsv` may be provided without fastening means along the outlying edges.

When it is necessary to prevent frictional irritation on a particular region of the body of a reclining individual, sections of the vpad beneath the affected area are omitted, leaving an open space 9. The surrounding sections of the pad provide adequate support for the body, While at the same time the frictional irritations which cause and aggravate such aiflictions as bed-sores, are avoided. The arrangement of the sectional units may be varied to meet the changing condition of the patient. Similarly, when it is desired to prop up an afflicted limb, such as an arm or leg, without at the same time exerting pressure on a particular portion of the limb, a pad may be arrangedy with sectional units omitted at the proper places. Since the propping units are interlocked with surrounding units of the pad, there is no danger that the propping units will shift under the limb.

The construction of the sectional unit, as illustrated in Figures l and 2, namely, one having fastening means peripherally arranged along two adjacent edges of the bottom face and other fastening means on flaps extending from the other two adjacent edges, is particularly advantageous, inasmuch as such units will interlock with other units of similar construction so that only one standard type of sectional unit is necessary. However, the pads of my invention may be readily built from sectional blocks having different arrangements of the flaps and fastening means.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, sectional unit Il is provided with flaps I2, I3, I, I5 which extend from the peripheral edges of the top surface of the block. Snap fastening elements I6 are arranged along these naps. Sectional unit I'I is provided along the peripheral edges of its top surface with snap fastening elements I 8 which cooperate with the fastening elements secured to the flaps extending from laterally abutting flapped units, as shown. This arrangement requires the use of two standard units.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 shows cooperating sectional units I9 each of which is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed flaps 2U and 21|. For square units as shown, only one standard unit is required. However, for differently shaped units, two standard sectional units may be necessary.

The sectional units may be filled with any suitable material, such as foamed rubber, kapok andthe like. Similarly, any suitable material such as canvas, Waterproofed sheeting, and the like, may be used for the casing. Although I have used for purposes of illustration, snap fastener interlocking means, it will be understood that other fastening means may be used, such as zippers, 'buttons and the like. It will also be obvious that any interlocking fastening arrangement may be employed which will permit interlocking with abutting units on all sides of each unit.

The size and shape of the sectional units may be varied. However, they should he of sufficiently small size to permit the ready adjustment of the pads to meet individual requirements and to facilitate handling. For use with children, for example, it is advisable to employ smaller units than are used for adults.

The pads of my invention are particularly useful in hospitals and sick-rooms. The same pads can be used for different patients simply by rearranging the sectional units to meet individual needs. Since the pads thus lend themselves to repeated use and rearrangement, they are highly economical.

Although I have clearly described my invention with :illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations are possible within the scope of -the following claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A sectional pad comprising a plurality of block shaped units contiguously arranged, with their lower faces in a common plane, flaps underlying the interfacial cracks between adjacent units, permanently xed at one side to a unit and detachably connected at the other side to an adjacent unit, said flaps flexibly connecting said units and permitting selective removal of any unit thereby forming a hole extending completely through said pad, said units being connected solely in the plane of their lower faces.

ROBERT L. MELROSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le kof this patentI' UNITED STATES PATENTS stein Feb. 4. 194i 

